GTK+ (GIMP Toolkit)
GTK+ is a cross-platform toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces, widely used in Linux environments (including CentOS) and the default toolkit for GNOME. It offers a comprehensive set of widgets, supports theming via CSS, and integrates well with GNOME desktop features. For C++ development, gtkmm (GTK+’s C++ interface) is recommended, providing object-oriented abstractions and better integration with modern C++ practices.
Installation on CentOS:
sudo yum groupinstall "Development Tools"
sudo yum install gtk3-devel gtkmm30-devel # For GTK+ 3 with C++ bindings
Example: A simple GTKmm “Hello World” program using gtkmm-3.0 (compile with pkg-config to handle dependencies).
Qt
Qt is a feature-rich, cross-platform C++ framework for building desktop, mobile, and embedded applications. It provides a complete ecosystem with a drag-and-drop designer (Qt Creator), signal-slot event handling, and support for QML (a declarative language for UI design). Qt is known for its extensive documentation, active community, and commercial/open-source licensing options.
Installation on CentOS:
sudo yum install qt5-qtbase-devel qt5-qtcreator # Core Qt libraries and IDE
Example: A minimal Qt Widgets application with a label (compile with qmake or use Qt Creator for project management).
FLTK (Fast Light Toolkit)
FLTK is a lightweight, fast, and cross-platform toolkit designed for applications where performance and small footprint are critical. It uses native OS controls for a native look and feel, making it suitable for embedded systems or tools requiring quick startup. FLTK’s API is minimalistic but powerful, with support for 2D graphics and event-driven programming.
Installation on CentOS:
sudo yum install fltk-devel
Example: A simple FLTK program with a window and button (compile with -lfltk to link the library).
wxWidgets
wxWidgets is an open-source, cross-platform framework that uses native OS controls to deliver a native user experience. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux (including CentOS) with a consistent API, making it easy to port applications across platforms. wxWidgets is lightweight, easy to learn, and suitable for small to medium-sized projects.
Installation on CentOS:
sudo yum install wxWidgets-devel
Example: A basic wxWidgets application with a frame (compile with wx-config to manage compiler flags).
CEF (Chromium Embedded Framework)
CEF is a framework for embedding a Chromium-based browser into C++ applications, enabling web-based UI development with HTML/CSS/JavaScript. It’s ideal for applications requiring rich web content (e.g., dashboards, media players) or hybrid native-web interfaces. CEF supports modern web standards and provides APIs for communication between C++ and JavaScript.
Note: CEF is not a traditional C++ GUI library but a browser embedding solution. It requires knowledge of web technologies and integration with a C++ backend.
Dear ImGui
Dear ImGui is a lightweight, immediate-mode GUI library designed for tools and debug interfaces (e.g., game engines, IDEs). It focuses on simplicity and performance, with a minimal API and no need for a separate UI thread. Dear ImGui is not suitable for traditional desktop applications but excels in scenarios where real-time interaction and low overhead are critical.
Installation: Download from the official GitHub repository and integrate into your project.
Example: A simple ImGui window with a button (requires linking against ImGui and a rendering backend like OpenGL).